Offender chaplaincy services [2015]

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS | OFFENDER CHAPLAINCY SERVICES

Overview
MISSION To provide and facilitate access to pastoral care for inmates and staff as appropriate in order to promote and establish a community of peace, hope, safety and mutual respect and ensure offenders First Amendment religious rights.
VISION Supports the mission and vision of the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) through highly professional leadership providing pastoral care to inmates and staff, facilitating worship, education, counseling, spiritual direction, support, and crisis intervention by working on an individual and corporate basis to promote and establish a community of:
Peace and Hope Safety Mutual Respect Respect for the property of others Responsible and Law Abiding Citizens prepared for Reentry
SERVICES Coordinate and provide worship services for a multireligious and culturally diverse group Provide pastoral counseling to inmates and staff Provide crisis intervention counseling Facilitate religious instruction among various faith groups Coordinate and facilitate behavioral change groups Provide consultation and training regarding religious needs of inmates Chaplaincy staff recruits, trains and coordinates our vast number of community volunteers Assist inmates in their reentry effort by matching the inmate with the community service providers Provide support to correctional staff and their family members
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS)
Established in 1995 at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, Angola Extension Center
Provides inmates the opportunity to obtain a Bachelors of Arts (B.A.) degree in Christian Ministry

NOBTS programming provides the following: Peaceful communities inside facilities Reduction of violence inside facilities Ministry within facilities Assistance in reentry preparation Reduction in recidivism
PHILLIPS EXTENSION CENTER Established at Phillips State Prison 2006 Part of the North Georgia Hub of NOBTS 29 students (first class) began classes March 3, 2008 First Associates degree in Christian Ministry awarded December 2009 First class of 25 students awarded Bachelor of Arts Christian Ministry degrees in December 2010 29 students (second class) began class August 2011 Graduates of the program have been assigned to 22 prisons throughout the GDC system to assist and participate in Faith and Character Based opportunities within the inmate population
Program Requirements Must provide proof of High School diploma, GED or college courses Must have a minimum of five years left to serve upon completion of the program Must not have any Disciplinary Reports for 12 months Voluntary offender participation Staff recommendation
Program Structure Offered in two or four-year cycles to 30 offenders per class Eight Core competencies: Biblical Exposition Christian Heritage Servant Leadership Interpersonal Relationships Spiritual and Character Formation Disciple Making Worship Leadership Life Skill Classes: Marriage and Family Counseling Introduction to Preaching Church History Evangelism To maintain accreditation, classes must be taught and graded at a college level

Failure to maintain a C average will result in academic probation and eventual expulsion from the program
Program Requirements Coursework provided through Leavell College 126 hours of academic study are necessary for the B.A. in Christian Ministry Eight semesters, two semesters per year Offender attend classes and/or study for eight hours a day Five classes per day are offered to offenders Graduations held every other year Tutor program available for advanced students: Tutors assist offenders with academic support and assist instructors with grading
Volunteer Services
Has trained and retained over 9,200 volunteers Volunteers assist the offenders and formerly incarcerated
persons inside and outside correctional facilities statewide Volunteers are considered non-salaried employees and must
be approved to enter their assigned facilities
TYPES OF VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Institutional Volunteers Mentors Educators Counselors Tutors Musicians Librarians Volunteer Coordinators Ministerial Leaders
Focused Areas of Address Spiritual Development Character Building Values

Parenting Worship Family and Relationship Building Life Skills AA/NA Communication Skills Anger Management Financial Planning Career Development
APPLICATION PROCESS Contact Facility Volunteer Coordinator at intended facility Complete Volunteer application All applicants must consent to a criminal history background check through Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC)/National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Applicant to complete the mandatory Pre-Service Orientation(PSO)/Volunteer Certification Training which consists of the following subjects: Overview of Corrections Overview of Reentry Services PREA reporting requirement Games offenders play Role of volunteer, rules of volunteer, code of ethics and standard operation procedures (SOP) Sexual/Unlawful harassment Sexual misconduct Emergency procedures Infectious diseases Key and tool control and Right to Know Volunteer forms Applicant will then receive a Volunteer ID and Locator card and must coordinate their assignment and service agreement with the Facility Volunteer Coordinator
Renewal Process Volunteer ID cards, GCIC review and the Commissioner's letter on sexual harassment are signed and renewed annually

1/2015